How to Become a CAA
Last reviewed August 12, 2026 · Sourced from official NCCAA, CAAHEP, and program disclosures.
Becoming a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA) takes about 6 to 7 years from your first day of college. The path follows a traditional premed route: earn a bachelor's degree with science prerequisites, take the GRE or MCAT, complete a 2-year master's program, and pass your national certifying exam.
1. Earn a Bachelor's Degree and Complete Prerequisites
You can major in any field as long as you complete the required science coursework. Most programs look for a standard premed core: a year each of biology, general chemistry, and physics (all with labs), along with organic chemistry, biochemistry, anatomy & physiology, calculus, and statistics. Unlike nurse anesthesia (CRNA) programs, no prior nursing degree or clinical ICU experience is required.
Requirements vary slightly by school. You can compare specific course requirements across every campus in our prerequisites matrix.
2. Take the MCAT or GRE
All accredited programs require standardized test scores, and nearly all accept either the MCAT or the GRE. Scores must usually be taken within the last 3 to 5 years. Case Western publishes matriculant averages (MCAT 506, overall GPA 3.73; 2025–26 matriculants, all CWRU locations), a helpful benchmark of competitive applicant profiles.
Some schools have additional admissions requirements: for example, Case Western requires the Casper situational judgment exam and strongly encourages 16+ hours of clinical shadowing with an anesthesiologist or CAA.
3. Apply Through CASAA
All CAA programs use CASAA, the centralized application service for anesthesiologist assistants. You will submit official transcripts from every college attended, letters of recommendation, test scores, and personal statements. CASAA charges $165 for the first program and $55 for each additional school.
Because transcript verification takes up to two weeks during peak periods, submit your application well in advance of program deadlines. See the full month-by-month schedule on the CASAA timeline page.
4. Complete a 24–28 Month Master's Program
Accredited CAA programs award a Master of Science (MS) or Master of Medical Science (MMSc). Training is rigorous and continuous, combining intensive classroom instruction in anesthesia pharmacology and physiology with over 2,000 clinical hours delivering anesthesia in operating rooms. ARC-AA reports that over 99% of graduates pass their certifying exams and secure employment.
5. Pass the NCCAA Certifying Exam
During your final semester of training, you will sit for the national certifying board exam administered by the National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants (NCCAA). The exam consists of 180 multiple-choice questions taken at a Pearson VUE testing center. Passing this exam grants you the Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA) credential.
6. Obtain State Licensure
NCCAA certification is national, but your legal authority to practice is determined by state law. CAAs currently practice in 23 jurisdictions: 19 license them through a state medical board (DC among them), and 4 allow practice under physician delegation rules. Explore our state-by-state practice map for current statutes and supervisory ratios.
Maintaining Your Certification
To keep your NCCAA credential active, you must complete 50 hours of Continuing Medical Education (CME) every two years (with at least 40 in anesthesia-specific Category I credits). You also take the Continued Demonstration of Qualifications (CDQ) exam in your 4th year after initial certification, and every 10 years after that.